Nectarine tree named &#39;pearlicious x&#39;

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree,  Prunus persica , broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms somewhat early and requires about 450 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in July, with first picking on Jul. 12, 2014. The fruit is medium to large in size, a tasty balance of acid and sugar in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, very firm and crisp in texture, yellowish white in flesh color, and deep red in skin color.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘PEARLICIOUS X’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, we,the inventors, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine,plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. We also grow a lessernumber of open pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually tocapture recessive traits. The present invention relates to a new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, which has been denominatedvarietally as ‘Pearlicious X’.

The present variety was hybridized by us in 2002 as a first generationcross using ‘Snow Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,570) peach as theselected seed parent and an unnamed nectarine as the selected pollenparent. The fruit of this cross was gathered that summer, and the seedswere removed from the fruit, germinated, cracked, stratified, and grownas seedlings on their own root in our greenhouse. Upon reaching dormancythe seedlings were transplanted as a group to a cultivated area of ourexperimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County(San Joaquin Valley). During the fruit evaluation season of 2007 weselected the present variety as a single tree from the group ofseedlings described above. Subsequent to origination of the presentvariety of nectarine tree, we asexually reproduced it by budding andgrafting in the experimental orchard described above, and suchreproductions were true to the original tree in all respects. Thereproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented)rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true totype.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘Snow Princess’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 12,570) peach, by blooming in the early season, by beingself-fertile, and by producing fruit that is globose in shape, mostlyred in skin color, and yellowish white in flesh color, but isdistinguished therefrom by having globose instead of reniform leafglands and by producing fruit that is nectarine instead of peach, thatis clingstone instead of freestone, and that matures six days earlier.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Majestic Pearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 18,778) nectarine by being a vigorous tree, by being self-fertile,and by producing nectarines that are clingstone in type, globose inshape, full red in skin color, genetically white in flesh color, andfirm in texture, but is distinguished therefrom by blooming earlier, byrequiring less chilling hours, by having globose instead of reniformleaf glands, and by producing fruit that is somewhat sweeter andslightly more acidic in flavor, and that matures eight days later.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present nectarine variety is characterized by a mediumsize, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearingtree. The variety blooms somewhat early and requires about 450 chillinghours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described inJuly, with first picking on Jul. 12, 2014. The fruit is medium to largein size, a tasty balance of acid and sugar in flavor, globose in shape,clingstone in type, very firm and crisp in texture, yellowish white inflesh color, and deep red in skin color.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one dividedfruit to reveal the flesh and stone, two insets to reveal buds and ablossom, characteristic leaves, and a typical tip shoot.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of firm ripe on Jul. 17, 2014, on a multiplied tree using‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock during its sixth growing season. Theblossom and flower descriptions were made the previous blooming season.All major color code designations are by reference to the Inter-SocietyColor Council, National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are alsoused occasionally.

It is to be noted that 2014 was an abnormal year with drought conditionsexisting in California. The unusually clear, warm, and dry weather inJanuary led to a very low amount of acquired chilling units, an earlierthan normal blooming season, and an earlier than normal ripening seasonfor the entire spring and summer.

-   Parentage:    -   -   Seed parent.—‘Snow Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,570).        -   Pollen parent.—Unnamed nectarine (unpatented).-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching and maintaining a height of 10′ [3.05            m.] and a spread of 7′ [2.13 m.] after six growing seasons            utilizing typical dormant pruning.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and            fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of            surplus top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant            should be grown on a standard commercial rootstock for            production purposes.        -   Growth.—Upright.        -   Form.—Vase formed.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to central California winters.        -   Approximate chilling requirement.—450 hours.        -   Heat tolerance.—Observed to perform adequately in typical            central California climatic conditions, which typically            include extended periods of heat.        -   Drought tolerance.—Variety is developed for commercial            orchards and requires regular irrigation.        -   Production.—Productive.        -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.        -   Bearing.—Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet            observed.        -   Trunk.—Size. — Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 4½″            [114.3 mm.] after twelve growing seasons. Texture. — Medium,            shaggy. Bark Color. — A Grayish reddish brown [46. gy.rBr]            and Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] variegation. Lenticels. —            Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 14. Color: Brownish            orange [54. brO]. Average Size: 5/16″ [7.9 mm.] in length            and 3/32″ [2.4 mm.] in width. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.        -   Branches.—Size. — Diameter of limb is 2½″ [63.5 mm.]            measured 12″ above the crotch, 1¼″ [31.8 mm.] measured 12″            above the first fork. Texture. — Smooth on first year wood,            increasing roughness with age. Color. — 1st Year Wood            Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st Year Wood Underside:            Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG]. Second Year and            Older Wood: Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr]. Lenticels. —            Number Per Square Inch: About 120 on second year wood.            Color: Brownish orange [54. brO]. Average size: Small, 1/16″            [1.6 mm.] in length and 1/64″ [0.4 mm.] in width on second            year wood. Shape: Elongated.        -   Leaves.—Size. — Medium. Average Length: 5¼″ [133.4 mm.].            Average Width: 1⅞″ [47.6 mm.]. Arrangement. — Alternate.            Thickness. — Medium. Form. — Elliptical. Apex. — Acuminate.            Base. — Acute with an average angle of 75 degrees. Surface.            — Smooth. Color. — Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green            [125. m.OlG]. Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120.            m.YG]. Margin. — Finely serrate. Venation. — Pinnately net            veined. Vein Color. — Light yellow green [119. l.YG].            Petiole. — Average Length: 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Average            Thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow green            [116. brill.YG]. Stipules. — Number: Usually 2 per leaf, up            to 6 per growing tip. Average Length: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color:            Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] becoming Dark            yellowish brown [78. d.yBr] with maturity. Glands. — Number:            Mostly 2 per leaf. Position: Mostly alternate, a few            opposite. Size: Small, 1/48″ [0.5 mm.] in diameter. Form:            Globose. Color: Strong yellow green [117. s.YG] acquiring a            Dark brown [59. d.Br] center with age. Location: At the            intersection of petiole and base of blade. Leaf Buds. —            Pointed, medium in size.        -   Flower buds.—Hardiness. — Hardy, with respect to central            California winters. Diameter. — Typically 3/8″ [9.5 mm.] 1            week before bloom. Length. — Typically 9/16″ [14.3 mm.] 1            week before bloom. Form. — Not appressed. Surface. —            Pubescent. Tip Color. — Light purplish pink [249. l.pPk].        -   Flowers.—Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single            pistil, about thirty stamens, five sepal and petal locations            alternately positioned. Type. — Showy, large. Average Flower            Diameter. — 2″ [50.8 mm.]. Average Flower Depth. — 1/2″            [12.7 mm.] when fully open. Number of Petals. — Always five            full petals with about fifty percent have extra petals or            petal fragments, full double blossoms occur on about one            percent. Petal Shape. — Circular to oval. Petal Margin. —            Entire, slightly wavy with a few notches. Average Petal            Diameter. — 11/16″ [17.5 mm.]. Average Petal Length. — 3/4″            [19.1 mm.]. Petal Apex. — Rounded. Petal Base. — Rounded.            Petal Color. — Pale pink [7. p.Pk] toward the apex, Deep            purplish pink [248. deep pPk] toward the base on both sides.            Anther Color. — Deep red [13. deep R] over a Light yellow            [86. l.Y] center at bloom onset. Pollen. — Anthers produce            an abundance of Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y] pollen.            Stigma Color. — Pale greenish yellow [104. p.gY]. Stigma            Position. — Typically located about 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] above            the nearby anthers. Ovary. — Non-pubescent. Sepal Color. —            Dark purplish red [259. d.pR] on the outer surface. The            inner surface is a somewhat translucent Pinkish white [9.            pkWhite] with both Grayish purplish red [262. gy.pR] and            Vivid yellow green [115. v.YG] areas visible. Sepal Length.            — ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Sepal Width. — 3/16″ [4.8 mm.]. Sepal Apex.            — Rounded to elliptical to match the sepal length and width.            Sepal Margin. — Fairly smooth. Average Pistil Length. — ¾″            [19.1 mm.]. Average Stamen Length. — 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].            Fragrance. — Moderate. Blooming Period. — Early to medium,            blooms about four days before ‘Majestic Pearl’ (U.S. Plant            Pat. No. 18,778) nectarine. Onset of Bloom. — One percent on            Feb. 12, 2014. Date of Full Bloom. — Feb. 20, 2014. Duration            of Bloom. — One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature. Number per cluster. — 1 to 3 with single            flowers most common.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe, Jul. 17, 2014.        -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 12, 2014.        -   Date of last picking.—Jul. 22, 2014.        -   Size.—Variable, medium to large. Average Diameter Axially. —            2⅞″ [73 mm.]. Average Diameter Across Suture Plane. — 3            1/16″ [77.8 mm.]. Average Diameter Across Cheek Plane. — 3″            [76.2 mm.]. Typical Weight. — 8.5 ounces [241 grams].        -   Form.—Uniform, globose, somewhat compressed axially,            symmetrical. Longitudinal Section Form. — Somewhat oblate.            Axial View. — Round with a hump at the suture.        -   Suture.—Extends from the base, continues along the side, and            ends just past the pistil point. Near the Base. — A sharp            groove. Along the Side. — A shallow groove. Near the Apex. —            A deep groove with marked depressions on both sides of the            pistil point.        -   Ventral surface.—Rounded, lipped stronger toward the apex on            both sides.        -   Lips.—Equal near the apex, somewhat unequal along the sides.        -   Cavity.—Flaring, elongated in the suture plane, suture            showing on one side, Light yellowish pink [28. l.yPk] stem            markings present. Depth. — ¾″ [19.1 mm.]. Breadth. — 1¼″            [31.8 mm.].        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Apex.—Rounded to slightly truncate, but strongly cordate if            viewed parallel to the suture.        -   Pistil point.—Apical, negligible in length, depressed within            the suture.        -   Stem.—Medium. Average Length. — ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Average Width.            — 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Skin.—Thickness. — Medium. Surface. — Smooth. Tenacity. —            Tenacious to flesh. Astringency. — Non-astringent. Tendency            to Crack. — None observed. Color. — Very deep red [17.            v.d.R] over a background of Deep red [13. deep R] with a            moderate amount of Light orange yellow [70. l.OY] freckling            stronger toward the apex.        -   Flesh.—Color. — Yellowish white [92. yWhite] with Moderate            red [15. m.R] streaking toward the stone. Surface of Pit            Cavity. — Very deep red [14. v.deep R] broken fibers when            twisted from stone. Amygdalin. — Slight. Juice. — Abundant,            rich. Texture. — Very firm, crisp, melting. Fibers. —            Abundant, fine. Ripens. — Fairly even. Flavor. — A tasty            balance of acid and sugar, very sweet, typically 18 to 22            Brix. Aroma. — Very slight. Eating Quality. — Excellent.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Form.—Oval.        -   Hilum.—Narrow, oval.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Sides.—Equal.        -   Tip.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.] long with an angle of 40 degrees.        -   Surface.—Irregularly furrowed and ridged toward the apex,            pitted toward the base.        -   Ridges.—Jagged.        -   External color.—Deep reddish brown [41. deep rBr].        -   Pit wall color when cracked.—Deep brown [56. deep Br].        -   Cavity surface color.—Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr].        -   Average pit wall thickness.— 7/32″ [5.6 mm.].        -   Average width.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].        -   Average length.—1¼″ [31.8 mm.].        -   Average breadth.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].        -   Tendency to split.—None observed.        -   Kernel.—Form. — Oval. Skin Color. — Moderate orange yellow            [71. m.OY]. Pellicle Color. — Grayish brown [61. gy.Br].            Vein Color. — Moderate brown [58. m.Br]. Taste. — Bitter.            Viable. — Yes. Average Width. — 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Average            Length. — 11/16″ [17.5 mm.]. Amygdalin. — Abundant.-   Use:    -   -   Market.—Fresh market and long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Good. Fruit quality observed to remain in            good condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36°            Fahrenheit [2° Celsius].        -   Shipping quality.—Good.        -   Resistance to insects.—No unusual susceptibilities noted.        -   Resistance to diseases.—No unusual susceptibilities noted.

OTHER NOTES

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Majestic Pearl’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,778) nectarine by being a vigorous tree, bybeing self-fertile, and by producing nectarines that are clingstone intype, globose in shape, full red in skin color, genetically white inflesh color, and firm in texture, but is distinguished therefrom byblooming earlier, by requiring less chilling hours, by having globoseinstead of reniform leaf glands, and by producing fruit that is somewhatsweeter and slightly more acidic in flavor, and that matures eight dayslater.